Biography

Mark was born and raised in London, and now lives with his wife and three children on a leafy hill not far from the Thames.

Over the course of a varied career, he has worked as an actor, theatre director, writer and teacher, while continuing to spend as much time as possible fishing.

As an actor, Mark appeared at the National Theatre and in London’s West End, as well as in long-running television series including *When the Boat Comes In*, *London’s Burning* and *Brookside*. One of his favourite memories from his screen career is standing in a field in the German Alps, dressed in lederhosen and a Tyrolean hat, delivering an enthusiastic tribute to lager opposite a petite actress balanced on a large wooden box.

Mark has written drama for BBC Radio and the stage, as well as books on history and music, including *Our Amazing Century* and *The Kingfisher Book of Music*. He has also contributed regularly to history and true crime partworks, written magazine articles on a wide range of subjects, and authored stories for children. His audio play *The Wizard’s Spell* won Best Entertainment at the New York Festival.

His biography of Sir Ian McKellen was published by Virgin Books in February 2005 and is being reissued by Lume Books.

Mark’s first novel, *Joe Rat*, is a historical children’s novel set in Victorian London. Published by Random House Children’s Books in March 2008, it received critical acclaim and was longlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Branford Boase Award, as well as shortlisted for the Stockton Children’s Book of the Year Award.
- IMDb mini biography by: A

Also a writer and drama teacher.

Mark has written drama for BBC Radio and the stage, books about history, Our Amazing Century, and music, The Kingfisher Book of Music.